COMMUNITY concerns about current operations and any potential expansion of the caravan park at the Myrtleford Recreation Reserve have been referred to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and the committee of management it appoints to manage the facility on crown land.

Alpine Shire councillors considered a petition at their June meeting from 43 Myrtleford community signatories objecting to any proposed expansion of the caravan park and citing concerns over current management of the site.

Petitioners said expansion at the park more than 14 months ago had "more than doubled the number of powered campsites, situating campsites within 150 metres of residential dwellings adjacent to the reserve....and has led to a significant increase in noise and anti-social behaviour."

Council director of assets, Alan Rees, told the meeting council officers had met with the committee of management to gain a clearer understanding of the current issues and management arrangements at the site.

He said council officers were advised there was no work underway to increase powered sites and there are currently no plans for expansion of powerheads at the recreation reserve, contrary to claims in the Myrtleford residents' petition.

Councillors acknowledged the concerns raised around operational issues in the petition, but noted it has no authority to intervene as the facility is located on crown

land and managed by a DEECA-appointed committee of management.

Councillors agreed to write to the DEECA appointed committee of management to highlight residents' concerns raised in the petition, such as the lack of official maintenance and management of the site, noise complaints, unrestrained dogs and so on.

Councillor Dave Byrne removed himself from the chambers for this matter due to a conflict of interest because of his ownership of a caravan park in Myrtleford.